When two Korean presidents Kim Jung-un and Moon Jae-in got together, world breathed sigh of relief, especially Japan which is in the firing line, at the prospect of turning Korean peninsula nuclear free zone. But many believed that in the reign of unpredictable and volatile President Trump, nothing could be taken for granted until it is signed, sealed and delivered. Even then it could be sabotaged with ease, as is the case with Iran Nuclear Deal and Climate Change treaty, signed by ex-president Obama but rejected by Trump, breaking international promise and obligation.
North Korean (NK) President Kim went out of his way to release three American citizens and promised to close down nuclear testing site for good, in front of international press and American observers. How was Kim rewarded! America holding annual naval exercise with South Korea (SK) in Yellow Sea that washes shores of both Koreas and is long standing bone of contention with not only NK but China as well, forcing NK to cancel bilateral talks with South.
Then newly appointed Security adviser to President Trump, Bush-era hawk John Bolton who replaced H. R. McMaster, poured petrol over the deal by announcing that neither sanctions nor economic aid will be forth-coming until NK gives up for good its nuclear arsenal, foolishly quoting none other than Libyan President Ghaddafi who voluntarily gave up his nuclear arsenal fifteen years ago!
NK President Kim was quick to point out the price Ghaddafi had to pay with his life for his mistake, trusting and believing in promises by the West. Kim threatened to pull out of talks to be held in Singapore with Trump in June. No wonder President Trump had to intervene and promise safety of Kim if he plays the cards right! Street-wise Kim is no fool, with his own nuclear arsenal capable of delivering fatal blows to SK and Japan, if not America. Let us hope that this was a temporary hitch and talks will go ahead as scheduled with promising outcome.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
